RLAA Board Meeting Minutes for August 22, 2012

Location: Maple Grove Public Library (Room 105)                                                                                                    Time: 7:00 p.m.

Call to Order at 7:05 pm

Approve the Agenda with no changes

Introduction of Board Members and Guests

Present: George Schneider, Rick Stulac, Scott Roeglin, Mark Ellingson, James Johnson (FSS)

Absent: Bill Kidder, Luke Johnson

2012 Aquatic Plant Survey presentation by James Johnson (FSS)

James gave an overview of his study to the board. A final document will be created and released to the board in the near future.

Key Findings in the study:

Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP is non-native) is the most common plant found in the lake in depths from 3-6’. Coontail (native) is the next most common, found mostly in 3-9’ depths. Fewer amounts of other native species in lake include: Sago pondweed, Flat-stem pondweed, Horned pondweed and Leafy pondweed. Eurasian WaterMilfoil (non-native) found just in one spot near channel connecting to Fish Lake.

Native species have increased in % since last survey (2009); more details to be released in the full report.

Other area lakes also experienced an increase in CLP and general vegetation growth this year.

Drawdown not recommended for Winter 2012-2013, as CLP is not considered to be enough of a nuisance at this time.

Treasurer Report (Rick)

$16,383.71 balance in RLAA accounts.

$4,485 collected in dues for 2012

This represents the lowest total since 2005.

Upcoming expenses include:

$2,000 for 2012 Aquatic Plant Survey

Old Business

Rough Fish Removal project (see Lake Management Team section below)

Desire is to have the Lake Management Team help manage this project going forward.

On-Going Business

Have a 2nd All Members meeting sometime later in the summer

Do we want to offer this for late summer/early fall 2012?

Wait until fall to decide if this is something the members will want to attend over the winter.

Update  on 2012 LIPs (Lake Improvement Projects) (George)

Project

Total Est. Cost

LIP Request

RLAA Cost

Comments

DO Meter

$621.00

$300.00

$321.00

Already purchased; will be submitting for reimbursement from the City with Aquatic Plant Survey

Channel Dredge

$6,000.00

$2,500.00

$1,500.00

$3,500.00  $4,500.00

Rejected by single homeowner in 2011; do we want to pursue in 2012-2013?  (City reduced their contribution by $1,000)

Carp Removal

$7,000.00

$3,500.00

$3,500.00

Postponed in 2011 due to public access requirements; do we want to consider for 2012-2013? May need to look at alternatives to control carp if this will not work

Aquatic Plant Survey

$2,000.00

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

Conducted in early June 2012 by FSS; final report and bill to come soon

Elm Creek Watershed TMDL Project Plan (George)

August 2012 – Nothing new since last Stakeholders meeting in March 2012. Project is currently in the data analyze/modeling stage.

Project expected to extend through 2015 before the local municipalities will be informed what their share of financial impacts will be to get local water quality up to recommended standards.

RLAA Newsletter

·         Plan next issue for Q3 2012 (last issue was November 2011)

New Business

Swim Raft in NW corner of lake

8/6/12 – Reported by resident this raft is located off City property and not private land

8/22 – Hennepin County Water Patrol (HCWP) reports owner does not have a permit nor lakeshore property. They informed HCWP they will remove it from the lake.

Task Team Updates

Lake Management

Recommend using this group to analyze water quality issues and come up with timeline and recommendations for action (carp removal, native plant reestablishment, etc.).

Meeting to be scheduled soon to determine ownership on outstanding projects.

Membership

Need to revisit resurrecting this group to help promote RLAA and improve membership and activity.

Other Business

Shoreline tree trimming (navigation hazards)

Elm Creek along Tristan Bay neighborhood – plan for Winter 2012-2013 tree trimming, after getting homeowner consent.

Buoy storage – Plan on taking out in early to mid-October and store with George pontoon.

Adjournment at 8:28 pm

Minutes by George Schneider 8/25/12                                  Rice Lake Area Association website = http://www.ricelakemn.com